A registered nurse, or RN, works with patients who are sick, injured, disabled, or convalescent. There are many specialties for registered nurses, but some of the duties common to most nurses include:
Registered nursing is currently the largest healthcare occupation in the US, with 2.5 million RNs employed. That number is expected to grow by almost 600,000 new jobs between 2008 and 2018. Some of the areas in which RNs may specialize include:
Long-term care nursing These are just a few of the many specialty options for registered nurses, and some RNs may combine specialties. Career advancement for nurses may include earning a master's degree and going on to become a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or healthcare administrator.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a registered nurse was $62,450 in 2008, but nurses in the top ten percent earned more than $92,240. Some average salaries for other healthcare careers are:
There are three degree paths to becoming an RN: earning an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), or a diploma from a certified nursing program. The more advanced BSN may help nurses who wish to specialize in a certain area or who may want to advance their careers later. Registered nursing can be a great way to begin a fulfilling career in healthcare. Make up your mind to pursue your dreams and earn a degree in nursing.
Learn more about being an RN:
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
University of Phoenix makes higher education highly accessible.
Online RN to BSN Obtaining your bachelor's in nursing (BSN) has been made much more possible with the Internet. Online RN to BSN programs allow you to work at home, when you have time.